{"id":25398,"date":"2026-09-17T12:35:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T12:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=25398"},"modified":"2026-09-17T12:35:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T12:35:33","slug":"mecca-absolutely-no-ambiguity-pakistan-says-mecca-pact-applies-as-saudi-arabia-faces-houthi-drone-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=25398","title":{"rendered":"Mecca: \u2018Absolutely no ambiguity: Pakistan says Mecca pact applies as Saudi Arabia faces Houthi drone threat"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-134312050,imgsize-21750,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg\" alt=\"\u2018Absolutely no ambiguity: Pakistan says Mecca pact applies as Saudi Arabia faces Houthi drone threat\" title=\"File photo: Pakistan defence minister Khwaja Asif\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"File photo: Pakistan defence minister Khwaja Asif\">File photo: Pakistan defence minister Khwaja Asif<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Pakistan on Thursday said it was committed to implementing its defence agreement with <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/topic\/saudi-arabia\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Saudi Arabia<\/a> and Turkiye amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region following what Riyadh described as an attempted Houthi drone attack near the Muslim holy city of Mecca.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"4\"\/>The trilateral Mecca defence agreement, signed by Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye last month, establishes a framework for collective deterrence and stipulates that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be regarded as an attack against all.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"6\"\/>Pakistan defence minister <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/topic\/khawaja-asif\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Khawaja Asif<\/a> said Islamabad was fully prepared to fulfil its obligations under the pact.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"10\"\/>\u201cThe Mecca Agreement applies to us, and we will fulfil our duty,\u201d Asif was quoted as saying by Geo News.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"14\"\/>Also read| <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/pakistan\/mecca-pact-but-no-troops-yet-pakistan-expresses-solidarity-with-saudi-arabia-after-houthi-attacks-on-kingdom\/articleshow\/134209604.cms\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mecca Pact, but no troops yet: Pakistan expresses &#8216;solidarity&#8217; with Saudi Arabia after Houthi attacks on kingdom<\/a><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"17\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2><b>Pakistan keeps military response details confidential<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"19\"\/>Asif\u2019s comments came after Saudi authorities said their air defences had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca. The drone was destroyed before entering the city\u2019s prohibited airspace, according to Saudi authorities.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"21\"\/>The Houthis denied targeting Mecca or any Islamic holy site.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"23\"\/>\u201cIf Mecca is attacked, there is no need for an agreement to protect it,\u201d Asif was quoted as saying.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"25\"\/>He said Pakistan did not need a formal agreement to protect the Muslim holy sites and that safeguarding them was a duty even without the pact.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"28\"\/>During his weekly briefing on Thursday, Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan reiterated Islamabad\u2019s commitment to implementing the agreement.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"30\"\/>Asked whether any mechanism had been devised for Pakistan to help thwart recent Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, Khan said Pakistan remained committed to \u201cimplementing\u201d the agreement.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"32\"\/>\u201cHowever, when, how, where and what force will be used against what objectives, in which modes and matters \u2014 operational confidentiality requires us to be discreet at this stage,\u201d he said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"35\"\/>Asif had also said on Wednesday that there was \u201cabsolutely no ambiguity\u201d about the pact\u2019s application if the territorial integrity or geographical boundaries of any of the three countries were violated.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"37\"\/>He stressed, however, that Pakistan would not publicly discuss its defence or military strategy.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"39\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2><b>Saudi Arabia faces Houthi drone and missile threat<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"41\"\/>The latest tensions follow Saudi Arabia\u2019s accusation that the Houthis attempted to target Mecca with a drone. The group denied the allegation.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"44\"\/>The attacks have also put the newly signed defence pact under scrutiny. Pakistan\u2019s military has described the agreement as defensive and intended for collective deterrence, with \u201cno regional aspirations\u201d.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"46\"\/>Pakistan\u2019s Inter-Services public relations chief Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the operational details of the pact were classified and would be decided by the three countries if the agreement were triggered.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"49\"\/>Also read| <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/pakistan\/it-is-defensive-nothing-aggressive-pak-scrambles-to-define-mecca-pact-after-houthi-attack\/articleshow\/134285705.cms\" styleobj=\"[object Object]\" class=\"\" commonstate=\"[object Object]\" frmappuse=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pak scrambles to define Mecca pact after Houthi attack<\/a><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"52\"\/>The pact was signed on August 7 and states that an armed attack against any one of the three members would be regarded as an attack against all.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"54\"\/>Saudi Arabia had sought air-defence support from France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt as it faced shortages of missile interceptors. However, officials from Pakistan and Turkiye told news agency AP that they had not received a Saudi request for military support in response to the latest Houthi escalation.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"57\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2><b>Islamabad urges diplomacy, warns over Red Sea<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"59\"\/>Pakistan\u2019s foreign office also highlighted the wider security risks from the conflict.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"61\"\/>Khan described the situation around Bab el-Mandeb as \u201cexceptionally serious\u201d and called on the Houthis to stop their activities.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"63\"\/>He said Pakistan had long advocated peace and stability in the region because \u201cthis is not only in the interest of Pakistan and Iran, but also the entire region and beyond.\u201d<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"65\"\/>\u201cIn this regard, our discussions basically revolve around bringing peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy and not through coercive measures,\u201d Khan said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"68\"\/>Asif said Pakistan had conveyed Saudi Arabia\u2019s message to Iran amid concerns over Houthi attacks against the kingdom.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"70\"\/>He said he did not think Iran as a state would open another front, while distinguishing between the Iranian government and non-state groups that could act without formal approval from a state.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"72\"\/>He said Pakistan would continue efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding into additional theatres.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"75\"\/>The defence minister also said disruptions to maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandab, were affecting trade and economies across the region. He said the disruption was particularly important for Pakistan because of its impact on the country\u2019s economy.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"78\"\/>Turkey\u2019s defence ministry condemned the Houthi drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia and other actions by the group.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"80\"\/>The ministry said the continued Houthi threat in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandab was negatively affecting regional security, international maritime trade and global stability.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"83\"\/>Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan\u2019s full support for Saudi Arabia\u2019s defence and said Islamabad stood \u201cshoulder to shoulder\u201d with Riyadh.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"85\"\/>Sharif condemned what he described as a \u201cdastardly and heinous attempted drone attack\u201d against the holy city and urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/pakistan\/absolutely-no-ambiguity-pakistan-says-mecca-pact-applies-as-saudi-arabia-faces-houthi-drone-threat\/articleshow\/134311858.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>File photo: Pakistan defence minister Khwaja Asif Pakistan on Thursday said it was committed to implementing its defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region following what Riyadh described as an attempted Houthi drone attack near the Muslim holy city of Mecca.The trilateral Mecca defence agreement, signed by Pakistan, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25399,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25398","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/pakistan-on-saudi-houthi-tensions.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"File photo: Pakistan defence minister Khwaja Asif Pakistan on Thursday said it was committed to implementing its defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkiye amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region following what Riyadh described as an attempted Houthi drone attack near the Muslim holy city of Mecca.The trilateral Mecca defence agreement, signed by Pakistan, [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 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